People are frequently heard making presumptuous statements like: "I will be a more faithful husband next year." "I will get better grades in school this semester." "I will not repeat my personal failures of last year." "I will improve the profitability of my business this quarter." Such statements are only acceptable in God's sight, if they are made contingent upon the will of God.
"Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that." James 4:13-15
The above verses reprimand the self-willed approach to living. "Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit." Such promises indicate the arrogance that people can embrace within their lives. "But now you boast in your arrogance" (James 4:16). Such arrogance prohibits us from living by grace, because grace is imparted to the humble heart. "Be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble'" (1 Peter 5:5).
David was a notable example of one who humbly yielded to, and sought after, the will of God. "I delight to do Your will, O my God - Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God" (Psalm 40:8; 143:10). Paul's comprehensive commitment to the will of God is seen in the way he stated predictive promises about his personal travel plans. As he left Ephesus, he stated, "I will return again to you, God willing" (Acts 18:21). When writing to Corinth, he promised, "I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills" (1 Corinthians 4:19).
Ultimately, the Lord Jesus Christ taught and lived in a manner that set the will of the Father as the absolute standard. Concerning how we should pray, He taught, "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:9-10). May we learn to pray as Jesus Himself prayed in this way: "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39).
